a great way to start the day

with a good ol' boogie.

Friday, wip

I believe that Friday is the day for showing off works in progress. This is what I have been working on today.
Bags.

I opened an Etsy shop yesterday, just on a whim, and I only have one thing to put into it. So the lonely bag needs friends.

I love this fabric so much. I found it under my Nana's house years ago and it was pretty ratty but I've kept it because I thought it was so beautiful. This was just the perfect project for it, I think I managed to cut around all the stains and tears successfully. The print is called 'Isadora'.

And that's all I can manage to say at this point, it's Friday and I'm tired. I'm going to sit down with a cup of tea and another wip, the knitting, and watch Collectors on the ABC at 8 o'clock.

And remember to vote tomorrow!

pleased and annoyed

I tidied my fabric today, I'm so pleased with myself. I think I mentioned not too long ago that this day would never come. It seems pigs fly too. Admittedly, it isn't the entire amount of fabric I own. This is just what was in the dining room making that corner look cluttered and ugly, that one up there...... and down there is how it looks now. Ask me in a week or so if still looks like that! I'll probably make up some big fat lie about how the kids got into the cupboard and pulled everything out....

I'm also annoyed with myself. I forgot to take the camera to the wedding on the weekend. So there aren't any photos. I'm slowly getting over it, but I was so cross when I realised in the car on the way to town.
It really was a beautiful night though, had a great time - Erin knows how to organise a good party! And believe it or not, Ivy stayed awake ALL night, until 11 o'clock or something crazy like that. But she had fun!

Holy Silkworms Batman!

Told you I'd get it finished......
It really is very beautiful. I just hope it fits!
So, the pattern is I do from Knitty , I used Debbie Bliss Pure Silk (beautiful but a bit painful) and 5mm Addi Turbo circular needles. All in all actually quite a fast knit, once I got going. There are a few areas in the pattern that could have been explained more thoroughly ( the increasing and decreasing for example) but if you are a knitter who can think and trust themselves to just make it up, not such a big problemo. Would I knit it again? No, I don't think so. But now I understand the shrug concept and construction I might make one with a different lace pattern. But probably not .
It's going to look beautiful on, with E's big red frock. I will have to make sure I get a photo!

because i could (should!) be knitting right now.

48 Things You Couldn't Care Less About

1. FIRST NAME?
Justine
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
The book, Justine. By Lawrence Durrell. I haven't read it. But my mum did.
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY?
Um, can't really remember- I cry all the time.
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT?
Errr..... cheese.
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
I hope so, I want more friends. I'm nice, honestly.
7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL?
Nope, but this is a surrogate journal right?
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Yep.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Nope.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE CEREAL?
Porridge (also known as podgee at our house ) with brown sugar and cream.
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Rarely. I don't have many shoes with laces.
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
Yes. I have given birth 3 times. That's tough, you need to be strong.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ICE CREAM FLAVOUR?
Green.
14. SHOE SIZE?
39.
15. RED OR PINK?
Do you mean red AND pink? Yes please.
16. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVOURITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
I put things off until the last minute.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
My mum. She lives in Brisbane.
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?
Nope.
19. WHAT COLOUR PANTS, SHIRT AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Black corduroy skirt, pink top and pink knee high socks with my beautiful pink shoes. It's a pink day today because the sky is very grey.
20. LAST THING YOU ATE?
Vegemite toast.
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
Quiet. I can hear the fish tank bubbling beside me but that's all. No small people demanding my attention- bliss.
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOUR WOULD YOU BE?
Today, tickled pink.
23. FAVOURITE SMELL?
Babies.
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Mum.
25. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO?
No one thing with everyone, depends on the individual.
26. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON YOU STOLE THIS FROM?
As far as I can tell, she makes beautiful things!
27. FAVOURITE DRINK?
A good old cuppa thanks, no sugar, lots of milk. Although I have had a hankering for a nice Campari and orange juice lately.
28. FAVOURITE SPORT?
Nope.
29. EYE COLOUR?
Blue.
30. HAT SIZE?
Um, nope.
31. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
No.
32. FAVOURITE FOOD?
Christmas trifle.
33. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
If that's all I have to choose from - happy endings.
35. SUMMER OR WINTER?
I prefer the in betweens, spring and autumn. Growing up in Brisbane, they didn't really exist.
36. HUGS OR KISSES?
Hugs please.
37. FAVOURITE DESSERT?
See 32.
38. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
Dunno.
39. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
Really, I don't know.
40. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING?
I have bookmarks in a few books. The most pressing is Dirt Music by Tim Winton, it's due back at the library soon.
41. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
Scribbles, thanks Archer!
42. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV?
Tripping Over.
43. FAVOURITE SOUNDS?
Peace and quiet. And heavy rain on a corrugated iron roof.
44. ROLLING STONE OR BEATLES?
Beatles I suppose.
45. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME?
The Northern Territory
46. WHAT'S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT?
Waking up early and getting my children breakfast without complaining. Too much.
47. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Mater Hospital, Brisbane. Funnily enough, where my first babe was born too.
48. WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
I pinched it from Shula. Thanks.

procrastination knitting

I have no idea why I do it. When I have something that actually needs finishing by a deadline (yes, Erin, this would be your shrug!) I start something else. Don't panic E, I am going to get it done but there was something stopping me getting it finished with lots of time to spare. It could be because it makes me swear. I had to un-knit a couple of rows lastnight. It's a pain to un-knit lace.
This little jacket on the other hand was mindless and knitted all in one piece with very minimal shaping or sewing up.

The pattern is from a recent Debbie Bliss book, sorry I'm not getting up to go and find it, that I borrowed from the library. I used Cleckheaton Merino Supreme I got from Clegs for $2.95 a ball (sweet!) instead of Cashmerino Aran. 5mm needles, in the largest size - 12-24months I think. Love that chocolatey brown.

And then in true procastinator fashion I have been baking a bit too. Lemon meringue cupcakes on Sunday and this one, ginger cheesecake yesterday. So i will only just manage to get things done in time and be bursting the seams on my clothes. Excellent.

i collect

I have way more pretty glasses than I will ever use, but I can't help it, I feel a compulsion to acquire more. I always head to the glassware first at the op shop. And I don't like plain ones. Just printed. I really enjoy deciding which one to use when I have a drink and I find it interesting to see which ones visitors pick to drink from.
I love my collection.

really big gloves

Not really.....it's oven mitts. I'm quite proud of them actually. I traced the swanky Gold Coast souvenir oven mitt we have in out kitchen and made these as a housewarming present for Ez. I'm so excited to be going to visit at their brand new house tomorrow! I'll be bringing presents!!

Thanks so much for all the positive comments on the idea of selling the quilted patchwork bags! I think I will try to get a stall at the Rose Street Markets in the new year. Megan and i are going to see if we can share one- her beautiful jewellery and my bright handbags! Cross your fingers for us that we can get this one off the ground..... we have been tossing ideas like this around for years now!